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Diabetes- a not-so-sweet disease

An astounding number of the Indian population has diabetes and this number is constantly rising. India is considered as the ‘Diabetic Capital’ of the world and for good reason-as of 2015, a staggering 69.2 million people are diabetic in India. Here is another piece of shocking statistics, WHO depicts that the occurrence of diabetes has doubled over the past 15 years. It is, truly, the 21st-century epidemic.

When we eat, our body turns the food we eat into glucose. At the same time, the pancreas release a hormone called insulin that regulates this glucose in our blood stream. Insulin converts glucose into energy or stores the glucose for future use. When the glucose in your blood stream is not properly regulated, you might be diagnosed with diabetes.

Diabetes can occur due to two many reasons which are classified as follows:

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) – It is often referred to as juvenile diabetes as it occurs in children. However, it can be developed at any age. This is the more dangerous of the two types of diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes occurs as a result of an auto-immune disorder. It crops up when the immunity system of the body destroys the insulin-producing cells (called as beta cells) of the pancreas as they see them as foreign bodies. Therefore, Type 1 diabetes can never be cured.

The reasons for the destruction of beta cells are not very clear but scientists attribute it to genetics and environmental factors.

For people with Type 1 diabetes, insulin is not produced at all. They have to depend on insulin injections for the rest of their lives.They have to consciously ensure that their insulin doses match their food intake and other activities.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D)– This is the more common of the two types of diabetes. People with this kind of diabetes are able to produce their own insulin but the problem occurs when they do not respond to the insulin.Type 2 diabetes is also called insulin resistance.

There are certain factors that increase your risk of contracting Type 2 diabetes like

Genetics

Obesity, especially around the waist

Lack of physical exercise

Malfunctioning beta cells may produce the wrong amount of insulin at the wrong time.

A malfunctioning liver can throw off your blood sugar levels.

Type 2 diabetes can be treated by making lifestyle changes with a focus on a healthier diet with physical activity. Oral medications or insulin injections may be necessary.

Risks associated with high blood sugar

Kidney failure

Loss of vision

Complications during pregnancy

Damage to nerves

Heart problems

Stroke

Reduces the body’s ability to heal wounds.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when there is too much sugar or glucose in the blood which can be treated or kept under control. A lot of complications may arise if your blood sugar is not kept under check, therefore a general advice to all who have diabetes:

Eat healthy

Exercise well

Take your medications on time

Check your blood sugar regularly and keep a record of it

Visit your doctor for regular check-ups.

At One Life, we have a diabetes care program in which we will help you manage diabetes effectively so it does not affect your daily activities and it avoids complications arising from the disease. Contact us on 1800 425 19999 for more information.